Next story in Space

The sun unleashed a powerful flare Thursday (Feb.24) that – while
not the strongest solar storm ever seen – let loose a massive
wave of magnetic plasma in a dazzling display.

The solar flare kicked up a huge, twisting tendril of plasma that
scientists call a solar prominence. NASA's Solar Dynamics
Observatory recorded the flare in an
eye-catching video, with mission scientists calling the
eruption a "monster prominence."

"Some of the material blew out into space and other portions fell
back to the surface," NASA scientists wrote in a statement
released Friday (Feb. 25). [ Amazing
Sun Photos from Space ]

Dazzling sun flare

Thursday's solar flare was the latest in a series of strong sun
storms this month. Scientists classified it as an M3.6 Class
solar storm. NASA described the solar eruption as a "rather
large-sized flare."

Scientists use a three-class system to measure the strength and
intensity of solar flares. The most powerful sun storms are Class
X – a Class X2.2 solar flare
erupted on Feb. 14. Class M solar storms are medium strength
but still powerful, according to a NASA description. The weakest
types of solar flares are Class C storms.

Thursday's solar flare erupted from a new spot on the sun called
sunspot 1163, according to the website Spaceweather.com, which
monitors space weather and skywatching events. The flare was not
aimed at Earth, and so should not pose a concern to satellites or
other systems.

The sun is in the midst of an active phase of its 11-year solar
weather cycle. The current cycle is known as Solar Cycle 24.

Strong solar flares aimed at Earth can disrupt satellites and
power grids, as well as pose a hazard to astronauts on
spacecraft. They can also spark dazzling shows of the
northern
lights, or aurora borealis.

The threat of solar flares to satellites and infrastructure has
been gaining notice among decision makers lately. Last week, Jane
Lubchenco – the chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration – told a gathering of scientists that the United
States must take steps to protect assets from potentially
dangerous space weather events.

"This is not a matter of if, it's simply a matter of when and how
big," Lubchenco said of the potential for a dangerous solar
flare. "We have every reason to expect we're going to be seeing
more space weather in the coming years, and it behooves us to be
smart and be prepared."

The sun unleashed a powerful flare Thursday (Feb.24) that – while
not the strongest solar storm ever seen – let loose a massive
wave of magnetic plasma in a dazzling display.

The solar flare kicked up a huge, twisting tendril of plasma that
scientists call a solar prominence. NASA's Solar Dynamics
Observatory recorded the flare in an
eye-catching video, with mission scientists calling the
eruption a "monster prominence."

"Some of the material blew out into space and other portions fell
back to the surface," NASA scientists wrote in a statement
released Friday (Feb. 25). [ Amazing
Sun Photos from Space ]

Thursday's solar flare was the latest in a series of strong sun
storms this month. Scientists classified it as an M3.6 Class
solar storm. NASA described the solar eruption as a "rather
large-sized flare."

Scientists use a three-class system to measure the strength and
intensity of solar flares. The most powerful sun storms are Class
X – a Class X2.2 solar flare
erupted on Feb. 14. Class M solar storms are medium strength
but still powerful, according to a NASA description. The weakest
types of solar flares are Class C storms.

Thursday's solar flare erupted from a new spot on the sun called
sunspot 1163, according to the website Spaceweather.com, which
monitors space weather and skywatching events. The flare was not
aimed at Earth, and so should not pose a concern to satellites or
other systems.

The sun is in the midst of an active phase of its 11-year solar
weather cycle. The current cycle is known as Solar Cycle 24.

Strong solar flares aimed at Earth can disrupt satellites and
power grids, as well as pose a hazard to astronauts on
spacecraft. They can also spark dazzling shows of the
northern
lights, or aurora borealis.

The threat of solar flares to satellites and infrastructure has
been gaining notice among decision makers lately. Last week, Jane
Lubchenco – the chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration – told a gathering of scientists that the United
States must take steps to protect assets from potentially
dangerous space weather events.

"This is not a matter of if, it's simply a matter of when and how
big," Lubchenco said of the potential for a dangerous solar
flare. "We have every reason to expect we're going to be seeing
more space weather in the coming years, and it behooves us to be
smart and be prepared."